Arab Americans, once considered a political swing group, are now solidly Democratic, a new survey released Monday found.

The poll conducted for the Arab American Institute by Zogby International indicates that Arab Americans plan to vote Democratic in the November midterm elections 2 to 1 and overwhelmingly favor a Democratic-controlled Congress.

Jim Zogby (AP photo)

The survey found that the controversy over the proposed New York community center and mosque known as “Park 51″ reinforced the Democratic leanings of most Arab Americans.

“People aren’t going to vote ‘Park 51,’ but it has created an atmosphere which reinforces a sense of not being welcome, of not being included,” said Jim Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute.

The poll indicated that Arab Americans will likely vote Democratic in November based on the two major parties’ positions on the economy, foreign policy and health care, as well as rising anti-Islamic rhetoric from some conservative politicians.

George W. Bush won about half of the Arab-American vote in 2000, but many of those voters soured on Bush following the Iraq invasion. Democrats are “not the party that led the war in Iraq, not the party that supported the devastation of Lebanon,” said Zogby. “What you have is an atmosphere that was created in 2002 and 2004 that has had a political branding situation develop.”

Anti-Islamic attitudes that escalated from the so-called “ground zero mosque” controversy will play a role in attitudes towards candidates come election day, he said. While the mosque issue will not determine the vote, general criticism of Islam from the right will resonate in voters’ attitudes.

Arab American suspicion of Republicans mirrors the views of GOP voters. According to the study, 85 percent of Republicans surveyed had an “unfavorable” view of Muslims while 34 percent of Democrats viewed Muslims unfavorably.

Of the Republicans who spoke against the construction of the “ground-zero mosque,” the poll included quotes from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., GOP candidate Richard Hanna, R-N.Y., and two Republican candidates for New York governor, Carl Paladino and Rick Lazio.

Cornyn’s statement read, “I do think it’s unwise…to build a mosque at the site where 3,000 Americans lost their live as a result of a terrorist attack. And I think it demonstrates that–that Washington, the White House, the Administration and the President himself seem to be disconnected from the mainstream of America.”

Lazio’s comment: “New Yorkers have been through enough. Now a terrorist-sympathizing imam wants to build a $100 million mosque near ground zero? Where is the money coming from? Who is really behind it? Call Andrew Cuomo and tell him a ground zero mosque is wrong.”

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, however, showed strong support of the community center and mosque in his statements: “The justification to ban the mosque is no more rational than banning a soccer field in the same place because all the suicide bombers loved to play soccer….The outcry over the building of the mosque near ground zero implies that Islam alone was responsible for the 9/11 attacks.”

Among the Republican politicians featured in the survey, only Paul and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie spoke positively of the mosque construction.

17 Responses

Nothing matters except Nov. 2. If they don’t get out and vote, the anti-constitutionalist Right wingnuts of the Republican and Tea Party will win in a landslide. Then, in “Tea Party-speak,” you can take your First Amendment rights only if you exercise your Second Amendment rights.

Wow. This is a real shocker. Arab-Americans (and/ or muslims) are democrats. Then another shocker….lets list the names of republicans/independents that spoke out against a “community center” near ground zero. Come on, thats as legit as expecting illegals to vote for those that are against illegals! Cant you do any better than that? As for the”community center ” those that are in line with this administrations goals for this country undoubtedly agree that islam is a warm fuzzy, TOLERANT , religion. If Imam Rauf, and all the others that get teary eyed (boohoo) trying to defend islam were are as passionate as about getting rid of the radicals and that mindset that the entire world must and will follow islam and sharia law,maybe just maybe more american would be openminded to their “religion” “All muslims are not terrorists, but all terrorists are muslim” Gee…its true so prove otherwise.

THAT IS ALL WE NEED TO HEAR !!!!! The Dems are also liked by Hugo Chavez, Hezballah and most AMERICA haters in the WORLD. When is the DEMS going to shut down this element in their PARTY…Commit wholeheartily to love this country or disappear!!!

It should be no surprise that Arab Americans are siding with the Democrats. For them to side with the Republicans, would be more like the Jews of 1932 Germany siding with the National Socialists. The Party of “NO” has been programed by corporate interests (always whoring after oil) to expect a war against Islam and the first step (like in 1930s Germany) is to demonize their “enemy” at home first. The corporate Right must be crushed if we are to protect what our founders envisioned and what we have always been sold as being the American ethic and ideal.

Sammy you are right. I think all parties, including tea partiers need to be disbanded and we start fresh. They all must think the same…have you noticed none of their ads or campaign signs no longer have their affiliation on them? Middle class white america wake up.

U2…You are funny! But please dont be PC. On a side note, its ok to refer to them as muslims. Anyone that follows islam is a muslim,but remember not all arabs are muslim and not all muslims are arab.
Jan..Thats how the dems have to get there votes! Im going way out on this but here goes…I will never believe Obama was legitimately voted in anyway. Ok..Im ducking now, here comes the rocks!

Tina, on a side note, I wonder if all the dead people that were given stimulus money have sent in their absentee ballots for the Dem candidates.I have also seen a Chicago based ad of ok to vote naked (absentee)I wonder how many will put clothes on and then vote at the polling place? Leave it to Chicago, Al Capone alive & well….